How to say "in Order for" and "so That": Italian Grammar Lesson 225

Key Takeaways

The expressions affinché, in modo che, and così che translate to "in order for" or "so that" in Italian.
Use the present subjunctive for actions happening in the present or future, and the imperfect subjunctive for past actions.
When subjects are the same, use in modo da + infinitive; when different, use in modo che + subjunctive.
Both affinché and così che always require the subjunctive mood, regardless of subject agreement.
Examples illustrate usage: "Go with him affinché he’s not late" shows present subjunctive in action.

Stefano's Insights

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Ah, il meraviglioso mondo del congiuntivo italiano! Quando usiamo "affinché", "in modo che" e "così che" in italiano, dobbiamo fare attenzione al tempo del congiuntivo: presente per eventi attuali o futuri, imperfetto per quelli passati. E poi c'è la sottile differenza tra "in modo da" e "in modo che". Se il soggetto è lo stesso in entrambe le frasi, usiamo "da" + infinito; se sono diversi, optiamo per "che" + congiuntivo. Ricordo quando imparavo queste sottigliezze e mi sembrava di ballare il tango con i verbi! Non è una passeggiata nel parco, ma è una di quelle cose che ti fanno sentire un vero esperto di italiano. E tu, hai mai avuto un momento "ah-ha" con il congiuntivo?

Ah, the wonderful world of Italian subjunctive! When we use "affinché", "in modo che" and "così che" in Italian, we must be careful with the subjunctive tense: present for current or future events, imperfect for past ones. Then there's the subtle difference between "in modo da" and "in modo che". If the subject is the same in both clauses, we use "da" + infinitive; if different, we go for "che" + subjunctive. I remember learning these nuances felt like dancing the tango with verbs! It's not a walk in the park, but it's one of those things that makes you feel like a real Italian expert. Have you ever had an "ah-ha" moment with the subjunctive?

Quick facts

Why are affinché and similar conjunctions rare in spoken Italian?

They require the complex subjunctive tense, which is less common in spoken language due to its complexity.

When do we use affinché in a sentence?

Use affinché when the subject of the main clause is different from the subject of the subordinate clause.

What verb tense do affinché, in modo che, and così che trigger?

They trigger the subjunctive tense, either present or imperfect.

How do you form the present subjunctive for regular verbs?

Remove the verb ending and add subjunctive endings like -i, -a, or -iamo.

How is the imperfect subjunctive formed for regular verbs?

Remove the infinitive ending and add endings like -ssi, -sse, or -ssero.

When to use in modo da instead of in modo che?

Use in modo da when the subject of both clauses is the same.

How does in modo che change the sentence structure?

In modo che is followed by the subjunctive and indicates different subjects in the clauses.

Can per + infinitive replace affinché in some cases?

Yes, when the subject of both clauses is the same, per + infinitive can be used.

What is the function of affinché in written Italian?

It expresses purpose or intention where the subjects of the clauses are different.

Why is mastering the subjunctive crucial for using affinché correctly?

Affinché requires the subjunctive to convey hopes, desires, and possibilities accurately.

Audio images

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Abbassano la musica affinché il bambino dorma.

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Prendo appunti affinché io possa superare l’esame.

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Main Article

How to say “in Order for” and “so That” in Italian

The easiest way to translate “in order for” and “so that” in Italian is with the expressions affinché, in modo che, and così che. Be careful, though! These expressions require either the present subjunctive or the imperfect subjunctive.

The choice between these two tenses of the subjunctive mood depends on the moment when the action occurs.

Logically, we use the present subjunctive to talk about events that happen in the present or the future:

Abbasso il volume affinché voi possiate studiare.

I’ll turn down the volume in order for you to be able to study.

And we use the imperfect subjunctive to talk about events that happened in the past:

Mi ha dato un asciugamano così che io mi facessi la doccia.

She gave me a towel so that I took a shower.

“In Modo da” or “in Modo che”?

Before I explain the difference between in modo da and in modo che, have a look at the two sentences below:

Parlerò con loro in modo da capire.

I’ll speak to them in order to understand.

Parlerò con loro in modo che capiscano.

I’ll speak to them in order for them to understand.

As you can see, in the first sentence, the person who will speak to the people and the person who wants to understand is the same. Instead, in the second sentence, the person who will speak to the people and the people who have to understand are different.

In linguistic terms, we can say that:

When the subjects of the two sentences are the same we use the da + infinitive
When the subjects of the two sentences are different we use che + subjunctive

This distinction does not apply to the other two expressions. In fact, when we use affinché and così che we must use the subjunctive mood.

Examples

Let’s now have a look at some examples with affinché, in modo che, and così che:

Accompagnalo affinché non faccia tardi.

Go with him so that he’s not late.

Vieni con me in modo che io non sia da sola.

Come with me so that I’m not alone.

Pubblicheremo questo documento affinché tutti sappiano la verità.

We’ll publish this document so that everyone will know the truth.

Hanno pulito la casa così che i genitori non si arrabbiassero.

They cleaned the house in order for their parents not to get angry.

L’ho chiamato affinché potessimo chiarire.

I called him in order for us to make up.

Key Terms and Concepts

Affinché

An expression used to mean "in order for" or "so that" in Italian. It requires the use of the subjunctive mood.

In modo che

Translates to "so that" in English. Used when the subject of the main and subordinate clauses are different, requiring the subjunctive mood.

Così che

Means "so that" or "in order for" in Italian. It is followed by the subjunctive mood to connect cause and effect between clauses.

Present Subjunctive

Used for actions happening in the present or future. In Italian, it conveys uncertainty, wishes, or demands.

Imperfect Subjunctive

Utilized for past actions. In Italian, it expresses doubts or desires that were relevant in the past.

In modo da

Means "in order to" and is used when the subject of both clauses is the same, followed by an infinitive verb.

Test your knowledge in 10 quick questions

Words

affinchéin order that

così cheso that

subordinatasubordinate clause

congiuntivosubjunctive

presentepresent

futurofuture

passatopast

infinitoinfinitive

soggettosubject

clausolaclause

Phrases

affinchéso that

in modo chein order that

così cheso that

presente congiuntivopresent subjunctive

imperfetto congiuntivoimperfect subjunctive

infinitivoinfinitive

stesso soggettosame subject

diverso soggettodifferent subject

clausolaclause

evento futurofuture event

Sentences

Studio molto affinché io possa superare l'esame.

I study a lot so that I can pass the exam.

Parliamo piano in modo che il bambino non si svegli.

We speak softly so that the baby doesn't wake up.

Mia madre ha cucinato una torta in modo da farmi felice.

My mother baked a cake in order to make me happy.

Ho chiuso la porta in modo da non essere disturbato.

I closed the door in order not to be disturbed.

Lavoro duramente affinché la mia famiglia possa vivere comodamente.

I work hard so that my family can live comfortably.

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Answers

FAQs

How to say say in order for and so that in Italian?

There are three different ways: affinché, in modo che, and così che.

What is the structure of affinché, in modo che, così che?

They have to be followed by the present or imperfect subjunctive.

How to form the present subjunctive?

By keeping the root of the verb in the present of the indicative and add the correct endings

How to form the imperfect subjunctive?

By removing -are, -ere, and -ire from the infinitive and adding the correct endings -assi, -essi, -issi.

In modo da or in modo che?

in modo da + infinitive (=in order to) and in modo che + subjunctive (=in order for X to).

Italian word of the day

iniziamo

Se non iniziamo a pulire, non finiremo mai.

If we don’t start cleaning, we’ll never finish.

“In Order for” and “so That” in Italian: Grammar Lesson